Latitudinal variation of migratory life histories of riverine Galaxias maculatus in Chile (36°- 47°S)

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event Latitudinal variation of migratory life histories of riverine Galaxias maculatus in Chile (36°- 47°S) Konrad Górski1, 2*, Evelyn M. Habit2 and Aliro J. Manosalva2 1 Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, Departamento de Ecología, Chile 2 Universidad de Concepción, Facultad de Ciencias Ambientales, Chile A relationship between life histories and increasing latitude has been described for Northern Hemisphere riverine fish, whereby life cycles that complete most of the growth in the ocean are favoured at higher latitudes. In the riverine ecosystems of the Southern Hemisphere many species of galaxiids display highly flexible migratory life histories and the mechanisms driving employment of different strategies remain unclear. Our objective was to assess the mechanisms driving the selection of migratory strategies of Galaxias maculatus from rivers across a gradient of latitude. Fifteen fish from three size classes as well as water samples were collected from upper, middle and lower sections of 10 river systems in Chile across latitudes 36°- 47°S. Otoliths and water samples were analysed for a suite of trace elements using Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Otolith elemental composition was analysed through depth profiling to assess the frequency of marine migrations in each section of each river. The propensity of marine migrations was strongly related to latitude as well as flow and temperature dynamics of each river system. Fish in river systems at higher latitudes more frequently displayed use of marine and brackish habitats, potentially enabling them to maximise foraging opportunities and increase recruitment success. River systems originating from large Andean lakes with more predictable flow pattern (large scale spring floodplain inundations and therefore more predictable food supplies) accommodated more resident individuals with no marine signatures even at higher latitudes. Therefore, climate as well as both longitudinal (headwaters-estuary) and lateral (main channel-floodplains) hydrologic connectivity seem to govern migratory strategies of riverine Galaxias maculatus. Consequently, management strategies that promote both lateral and longitudinal connectivity within riverine ecosystems are crucial to maximise habitat availability for this native fish species. Acknowledgements Financial support: Fondecyt 3130690, DIUC 213.310.063-1AP Keywords: Fish migration, Diadromy, LA-ICP-MS, Otolith microchemistry, Puye, īnanga Conference: XV European Congress of Ichthyology, Porto, Portugal, 7 Sep - 11 Sep, 2015. Presentation Type: Oral Presentation Topic: Otoliths as a tool to study fish life cycles Citation: Górski K, Habit EM and Manosalva AJ (2015). Latitudinal variation of migratory life histories of riverine Galaxias maculatus in Chile (36°- 47°S). Front. Mar. Sci. Conference Abstract: XV European Congress of Ichthyology. doi: 10.3389/conf.fmars.2015.03.00031 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 23 Oct 2015; Published Online: 04 Nov 2015. * Correspondence: Dr. Konrad Górski, Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, Departamento de Ecología, Concepción, Chile, konrad.gorski@uach.cl Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Konrad Górski Evelyn M Habit Aliro J Manosalva Google Konrad Górski Evelyn M Habit Aliro J Manosalva Google Scholar Konrad Górski Evelyn M Habit Aliro J Manosalva PubMed Konrad Górski Evelyn M Habit Aliro J Manosalva Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.